Well that’s just it.

Telecommuters are telecommuters - not Virtual Assistants. It really muddies the waters and makes it harder for the business community to know “what” they are looking for.

Some really want and need a telecommuter. Nothing wrong with that at all.

BUT, that model is an employee model. The VA model is not. There is a HUGE difference in the relationship between VA and client (not VA and employer).

It’s like cucumbers and zucchini. They may look somewhat similar, but don’t act the same in a salad or stir fry.

I don’t think anyone is saying the course has nothing to offer. We’re objecting to the packaging.

I was just reading Linda Lupowitz’s comment and wanted to point out that that in my opinion, the only people who should be training clients on how to delegate is their VA themselves. I have fabulous clients these days, but they’d have another thing coming if they thought they were going to just start delegating things their way or according to someone else’s plan. The only processes that apply in MY business for how my clients and I will work together are my own–no one elses. VAs need to stop being children in their own businesses, and letting everyone else make the rules for them, and start taking charge of their own businesses and processes. It’s the professional’s role to let clients know how things work. And then together from that foundation, your relationship and processes will evolve from there.

Thanks for stopping by and leaving your voice on the matter - always great to hear from you!

Namaste ~ ~ ~

Joy

While I certainly don’t think this was done with any bad intent, it really was a big mistake. I had always found her information useful and recommended her to my clients who did not know of her.

I don’t feel as though I can do that anymore.

One of the first rules of thumb when it comes to PR/Advertising/Marketing - is to know your audience and speak to them.

The time clearly was not taken to do this. Or it was not done with VAs that are running true, successful practices. That does something to my feeling of respect and I can not and will not recommend something to someone that I can not 100% stand behind and approve of.

I know there are different schools of thought on this and she is receiving some backing from some VA organizations and my opinion is only one in a vast sea.

I try to look for a silver lining in everything. I’m hoping that through this apparent blunder, perhaps there will be some business owners out there that have never heard of a Virtual Assistant before and go to search out who we are and what we do - and get to the right places to find out *how* we do it. They may start out with the wrong impression but there are plenty of us out there that strive to educate.

Thanks for stopping by!

Namaste ~ ~ ~

Joy

I hear what you are saying, but I would have to say that VAs need to be “training” the business world how to work with us, not a publicity, marketing, advertising or other kind of expert.

I don’t think her intention was training business people how to work with a VA, I didn’t get that at all. What she wants business people to do is “send me your VA for training”. This is the part I take offense to.

I would hope that any of my clients would be quick to say that I’m honest about what I know and don’t know how to do (have some some nightmares while learning something new, but readily admit it) and am more than willing to learn something on their behalf - IF IT’S A SERVICE I’M INTERESTED IN PROVIDING.

But, quite honestly, if one of my clients approached me with this language “I’m going to send you for training” we’d have a serious problem.

I guess it all boils down to whether you decide to allow your clients to think of you as an employee, telecommuter, or secretarial service. I know many VAs do, but I think they are doing themselves and the profession a disservice.

Food for thought - would I call my CPA or Electrician and say “hey, I saw the community college is running a course on XYZ - I’m going to send you to it.” No, of course not, they are a professional service provider and I would not be working with them if I didn’t feel as though they were keeping up with the latest on what they needed to know to take care of me. The day may come when I ask them to tackle a job that they don’t do. Does that mean I should tell them I’m sending them for training because they don’t know what they are doing? It’s all a choice, and as business owners, WE should be the ones making the choice.

I put myself into that category. Professional service provider and I choose what services to offer.

Thanks for stopping by with your opinion! I really like good discussion and am not afraid to say we need to agree to disagree!

Namaste ~ ~ ~

Joy

I also think she is very talented and has great info to share with the world, including the virtual assistant world.

So I sent her an email telling her that I felt her newest venture was offensive, and why.

First, we are business owners, not employees.

Second, if I do not provide publicity as a service, I don’t want my client to send me to school to learn it. I will recommend another VA who does provide that service.

Third, if I was commissioned by a client to do publicity services and I am not doing a good job, then my relationship with that client will end fairly quickly, I would think.